Trip from Manhattan, NY to Gravesend, NY

Drive Time

37m

Distance

17.7 mi

28 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 35m ★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Manhattan, NY, NY

Manhattan, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Downtown Gravesend, NY, NY

Gravesend, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Navigating the 15.7-mile journey from Manhattan to Gravesend is a quick trip that typically takes about 31 minutes. You will primarily utilize local corridors like 5th Avenue and East 79th Street before transitioning to the FDR Drive South. Since this route is entirely within the Northeast region of New York, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at just $2, it is a very budget-friendly way to cross the boroughs. Given the lack of planned stops, you should view this as a direct transit rather than a sightseeing excursion. It is a straightforward drive for anyone looking to reach their destination efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

8.8 miles from Manhattan, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention from start to finish. Because this route features zero highway miles, you will spend the entire 31 minutes navigating city streets and urban arteries. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the nature of the roads requires frequent adjustments and constant awareness of traffic flow. The transition from the dense grid of Manhattan to the character of the FDR Drive creates a shifting environment behind the wheel. Prepare for a technical experience that prioritizes maneuvering through metropolitan infrastructure over high-speed cruising.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
FDR Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near East 79th Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 17.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (East 79th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles (NY 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | East 79th Street

Turn left onto East 79th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
9
8.7 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
7
11.7 mi into trip | ~25m in | NY 27

Take the exit onto NY 27 toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
8
12.6 mi into trip | ~26m in | NY 27 Truck

Take the exit onto NY 27 Truck toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, Jewish Children's Museum, Brooklyn Children's Museum

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4 Toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Aven...
6
12.8 mi into trip | ~27m in | NY 27 Truck / 10th Avenue

Turn right onto NY 27 Truck / 10th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Manhattan, NY and Gravesend, NY, road signs point toward Fdr Drive South, Brooklyn, Jewish Children's Museum and Brooklyn Children's Museum.

Fdr Drive South

1.6 mi in | ~5m

Brooklyn

8.7 mi in | ~19m

Jewish Children's Museum

12.6 mi in | ~26m | via NY 27 Truck

Brooklyn Children's Museum

12.6 mi in | ~26m | via NY 27 Truck

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FDR Drive 7 mi 13m
McDonald Avenue 4.1 mi 7m
East 79th Street 1 mi 3m
NY 27 1 mi 1m
Gowanus Expressway 0.6 mi <1m
Avenue U 0.4 mi <1m
86th Street Transverse 0.4 mi 1m
Ocean Parkway 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: FDR Drive — 7 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Gravesend, NY.

1

Start on 86th Street Transverse

0.4 mi · 1 min · 86th Street Transverse
2

Turn right onto 5th Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · 5th Avenue
3

Turn left onto East 79th Street

1.0 mi · 3 min · East 79th Street
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the ramp

400 ft · 10 sec
Toward FDR Drive South
5

Merge onto FDR

7.0 mi · 13 min · FDR Drive
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

2.4 mi · 4 min
Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn Use the right lane.
7

Continue on I 278

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Gowanus Expressway
8

Take the exit onto NY 27

1.0 mi · 1 min · NY 27
Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9

Take the exit onto NY 27 Truck

0.2 mi · 27 sec · NY 27 Truck
Exit 4 Toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, Jewish Children's Museum, Brooklyn Children's Museum Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn right onto NY 27 Truck

262 ft · 11 sec · 10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
11

Turn left onto NY 27 Truck

4.1 mi · 7 min · McDonald Avenue
Use the none / slight left / right lanes.
12

Turn left onto Avenue U

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Avenue U
13

Turn right onto Ocean Parkway

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Ocean Parkway
14

Continue on Ocean Parkway

0.1 mi · 40 sec · Ocean Parkway
Use the left lane.
15

Arrive at destination

Ocean Parkway

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, 15.7-mile transit, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. However, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can be tiring, so ensure you are well-rested before navigating through the city. You will not need to plan for fuel stops given the low $2 cost, allowing you to head straight to your destination. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert at every intersection, as the constant turns require you to be decisive with your navigation. Because the drive is under 40 minutes, you can easily build your day around your arrival time without needing to factor in significant breaks.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 8.8 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 17.7 miles or 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 8.8 miles or 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gravesend, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Manhattan, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Manhattan, NY

This is one driving day of about 17.7 miles and 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Manhattan, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on FDR Drive for about 7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 8.8 mi from Manhattan, NY · 20m into the drive

Downtown New York City, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

9 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

New York City, NY to Gravesend, NY

10.2 mi · 21m

Pacing Suggestions

Brooklyn, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 8.8 miles from Manhattan, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Gravesend, NY

The final approach into Gravesend, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gravesend, NY.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.88 one way

$5.76 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $3.12 $6.25
premium $4.88 $3.40 $6.81
diesel $5.64 $3.93 $7.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 6.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 5.3 0 $1.86 $0.85
Efficient EV 4.4 0 $1.55 $0.71
EV Truck/SUV 7.1 0 $2.48 $1.13

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Manhattan, NY

Evening in Manhattan on Sunday

Local time

6:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gravesend, NY

Evening in Gravesend on Sunday

Local time

6:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

37m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Manhattan, NY to Gravesend, NY covers 17.7 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are FDR Drive, McDonald Avenue, East 79th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.8 miles from Manhattan, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 17.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (East 79th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles (NY 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Manhattan, NY and Gravesend, NY, road signs point toward Fdr Drive South, Brooklyn, Jewish Children's Museum and Brooklyn Children's Museum.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Gravesend, NY to Manhattan, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

15.8 mi 36m

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